​The Democrat controlled Illinois Senate passed a series of tax hikes May 23 that will raise taxes by more than $5.4 billion. The tax hikes are part of a record $37 billion budget, and will cost the average Illinois family an additional $1,125 annually in State taxes.

Illinois is one of the most oppressive States where State taxes are concerned. It is one of the chief reasons why corporations - as well as people - are leaving that State in mass exodus. It has become near impossible for a family of median income to survive in Illinois without going into debt and having to rely on government (perhaps the Progressive strategy all along).

Meanwhile, Chicago's spendthrift mayor, former Obama chief of staff Rahm Emanuel, took to the podium to brag about the largess of the taxpayer funded social services programs the city is making available to both refugees and illegal immigrants.

Van Jones was fond of explaining, the Progressive Movement is all about affecting transformative pressure "top-down, bottom-up" to achieve "inside-out." It seems Chicago has arrived, where non-producers are secure and cared for and producers are bled to death until they become non-producers.